Fire Commission - June 26, 2019

 

 

The Video can be viewed by clicking this link:  http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=180&clip_id=33…

 

President Nakajo called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

 

1. ROLL CALL

 

Commission President Stephen Nakajo Present

Commission Vice President Francee Covington Present

Commissioner Michael Hardeman Present

Commissioner Ken Cleaveland Arrived at 5:15

Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese Present

 

Chief of Department Jeanne Nicholson Present

 

Victor Wyrsch Deputy Chief -- Operations

Jose Velo Deputy Chief --Administration

 

Sandy Tong EMS

Dan DeCossio Bureau of Fire Prevention

Tony Rivera Support Services

Michael Cochran Homeland Security

Joel Sato Training Division

 

Assistant Chiefs

Bob Postel Division 2

Lorri Kalos Division 3

 

Staff

Mark Corso Deputy Director of Finance

Clement Yeh Medical Director

Olivia Scanlon Communications and Outreach

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [Discussion and possible action]

Discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes.

 

• Minutes from Regular Meeting on June 12, 2019.

 

Commissioner Veronese asked to be excused from the vote since he was not at the June 12, 2019 meeting.  Commissioner Hardeman Moved to approve the above meeting Minutes.  Vice President Covington Seconded.  Motion to approve above Minutes was unanimous. (3-0)

 

There was no public comment.

 

4. PRESENTATION ON OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT FACILITIES

Charles Higueras, JFIP/ESER Program Manager with the Department of Public Works to provide an overview and update on status of Department Facilities undergoing ESER renovations and information regarding the Fire Chief’s residence.

 

Charles Higueras with Department of Public Works and Program Manager of the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response bond program introduced himself as well as his two project managers, Magdalena Ryor and Sherry Katz and he presented the attached PowerPoint:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

He provided a little background on the legacy of the ESER bonds including the following: "We've passed two bond programs since 2010, both with resounding support from the voters of San Francisco.  We're among the highest, in the sense, embraced bond programs that have been advanced to the voters in I think modern history.  So, I think that speaks very well to the support for our first responders, Fire Department certainly, as well as other projects in service to the needs of San Franciscans.  In these two particular bond programs, we've, in a sense, dedicated approximately 150 million dollars, to fire facilities.  Corollary to that there has been funds spent on the emergency firefighting water system, which is, of course, an asset dedicated for the Fire Department's use.  But as you can see, we've also been in service to other first responder imperatives among different departments.”  He also touched on the liquidated damages against the builder for delays on certain projects, a status update on Station 35 and focus scope projects which include alternation projects meant to address the deficiencies of the defects at all the fire stations that present the possibility of some imposition on the readiness of firefighters to deploy from these stations.  He also touched on the upcoming 2020 bond, where if passed by the voters, will provide 275 million dollars to focus on doing more robust interventions that are meant to improve the seismic worthiness of the most vulnerable stations, including apparatus bay doors, Bureau of Equipment relocation and a Training Center at a new location yet to be determined, which the city’s Real Estate Division is working very diligently to find an appropriate site.  He had Joe Chin, the project manager for the Public Health and Safety Bond speak regarding the Ambulance Deployment Facility.

 

Commissioner Veronese asked if there was a savings in switching from the folding apparatus bay doors to the roll-up doors and if the Department was satisfied in case of a power outage.  Sherry Katz responded that they operate manually in the event of a power outage.  He also confirmed that there were approximately $470,000 dollars in liquidated damages and those funds do not go back exclusively to the Fire Department.  He also confirmed that when a new station is built, the taxpayers pay for all appliances (stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator) and repairs to appliances, except for the refrigerator and the members are responsible for outfitting the stations with silverware, glassware, dishware and things of that sort.  Commissioner Veronese suggested that the next time one of these contracts is written up, that they add a liquidated damages provision that compensates the Fire Department for its damages, as the firefighters are suffering themselves in having to temporarily house at other stations. 

 

Commissioner Cleaveland thought it was a great report.

 

Vice President Covington agreed with Commissioner Veronese that some consideration should be given to the Department in future legal documents in terms related to liquidated damages.  She also complimented his team on the work that's been done thus far using the ESER Bond monies, including Station 5 and other stations that have either been rebuilt or upgraded and members are happy to have a new home where everything works as it’s supposed to, as the members work extremely hard making sure that the citizens and visitors of the city are safe.

 

President Nakajo confirmed that the ESER 2020 bond, that the Board of Supervisors supported unanimously and if passed by the voters will be for $628.5 million dollars and a portion of that will be dedicated to the SFFD.  Mr. Higueras confirmed that they will continue to work on a variety of projects within ESER 2014, most specifically Fire Station 35, hose tower projects and work around generators.  President Nakajo agreed that having a celebration on the delivery of the floating barge from Singapore would be a great idea.  There was clarification on the Focus Scope projects which includes the Public Health and Safety bond of approximately 42 million dollars’ worth of very specific and focused improvements at a variety of stations.

 

 

5. CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT’S REPORT [Discussion]

REPORT FROM CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, JEANINE NICHOLSON

Report on current issues, activities and events within the Department since the Fire Commission meeting on June 12, 2019, including budget, academies, special events, communications and outreach to other government agencies and the public.

 

Chief Nicholson’s report covered events and activities since the last meeting n June 12, 2019.  She stated that she, Chief Wyrsch and Chief Velo are continuing their station meetings and they have less than five left to visit.  With regards to the budget, she explained that it is not yet finalized, and that tonight is add-back night, so she’ll be scurrying down to the second floor after the commission meeting to continue to advocate for the Department and at the next Commission meeting she will have the final-final in terms of they were allocated in the budget.  She mentioned that she had two productive meetings with Dr. Colfax from the Department of Public Health and some of his high-level staff and members of the EMSA where they are committed to working on pilot programs, as well as additional budget-asks together.  She added that she and Mary Ellen Carroll, head of DEM presented at the Hospital Council, where they put forward some solutions and she is hoping that they can work together with them in terms of EMS Prevention, pilot programs and similar things to improve the system.  She touched on the upcoming paramedic captain’s exam that they are hoping to have in November and also working on seeing if they can change the current exam practice which is to have the exam list last for three years and extending it for one to having a two-year list, with the possibility of extending it for one year, with the exception of the lieutenant’s list, which is always a really big list.  She thinks it would benefit the Department to have the tests more frequently and although it would have a small financial impact on the Department, she stated the benefit will outweigh that.  She talked about the new Chase Center and the impacts and concerns they are potentially facing when that center opens, and how they are addressing those concerns.  She mentioned the Pride Parade that is coming up this weekend, as well as activities scheduled for the July 4th holiday.  She added that they met with former Assistant Chief, Dave Franklin who now works for OES in the state to talk about mutual aid, support and readiness as well as IMT resources and training.

 

Commissioner Cleaveland thanked her for her report and confirmed that they work with the Department of Human Resources to decide how often to administer promotional testing.  He also confirmed that the Department if advocating for an emergency lane around the Chase Center neighborhood, but that request has not yet been granted.

 

Commissioner Hardeman confirmed that there will be 54 recruits in the next academy class and that they are currently conducting interviews and she plans on having a handle on it the first couple of weeks in July.

 

There was no public comment.

 

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION, DEPUTY CHIEF JOSE VELO

Report on the Administrative Divisions, Fleet and Facility status and updates, Finance, Support Services, Homeland Security, Training within the Department.

 

Chief Velo reported on events since the last meeting on June 12, 2019.  He mentioned that they sent out a General Order advertising for members to apply for committees and workgroups and they had a lot of interest from the member and have already received 218 applicants.  He added that another project they are working on is the fire ground decontamination policy and they delivered to every single apparatus, a decon kit which contains a bucket with a brush, special soap, wipes, and a mask.  He added that they are doing this in combination with other policies they have to help the firefighters prevent cancer. He touched on the Division of Training, the high-rise drill and the upcoming active shooter training that will take place in October.  He mentioned that the Department’s Training Division has been accredited with the State for another five years.  He touched on NERT, the Listos Program, Homeland Security and the Tall Building Safety Strategy Summit.  He also stated that there was an update on the Drone Policy, as they received notice from FEMA that language needs to be added and then it will be sent to Cal OES for final approval.  His report is attached:  https://sf-fire.org/sites/default/files/COMMISSION/Fire%20Commission%20…

 

Commissioner Cleaveland thanked Chief Velo for his well done and brief report and confirmed that Listos means ready in Spanish and it is a state program that started in Southern California.

 

Commissioner Veronese thanked Chief Velo for his decon policy as it shows he cares about the members and asked how it was going to be enforced.  Chief Velo responded that it is associated with a General Order.  Chief Nicholson added that there is going to be a learning curve and they will make enforcement happen at the Chiefs’ level.  Chief Velo added that the driving force of this policy is Captain Julie Mau.  Commissioner Veronese suggested having a reporting mechanism whereby they can keep a record of whether or not the decontamination policy had been adhered to after each particular fire.

 

Commissioner Hardeman thanked Chief Velo for his report and noticed how extremely busy he and the group that works under him have been and that they have accomplished a lot.  He confirmed that because of the end of the fiscal year, they will expect more retirements than usual.

 

Vice President Covington thanked Chief Velo for his report and stated she was also heartened to see the Listos training going on which includes gas shut-offs, electrical shut-offs, extinguisher training, and basic first aid.  She confirmed that there was an option to go from Listos to NERT.  She stated that NERT is such a valuable resource for the citizens of San Francisco with all of the training modules and she suggested offering incentives to people to go from Listos to the regular NERT program.  She complimented Chief Velo on the decontamination policy and acknowledged the good job done by Captain Julie Mau.  She also suggested that Captain Neal Cavallini present at a future commission meeting with his Best in Show he was recognized at the recent confab of firefighters.

 

President Nakajo thanked Chief Velo for his comprehensive report and acknowledged Chief Sato and his staff for the wonderful graduation ceremony held the beautiful Scottish Rite auditorium with such a lively group of parents, family, and friends.  He was also impressed with Chief Nicholson's speech.  He touched on different items throughout the report including the fire reserves, Department physician, the division chiefs and Chief Ali’s report as well as Captain Cavallini’s report. Homeland Security Chief Cochrane’s report and the clothing depot report.  He described his involvement at the high-rise drill and thanked Chief Wyrsch and the training staff that spent time with him at that drill.

 

There was no public comment.

 

6. COMMISSION REPORT [Discussion]

Report on Commission activities since last meeting on June 12, 2019

 

Vice President Covington stated she was unable to attend the graduation because she was attending the mayor's Women Summit, which she said was excellent and that the Department had quite a wonderful crew there who were chatting it up with all of the attendees.  She added that it was good to see women members of the Department talking to the citizens about the kinds of work they do, as well as recruiting anyone who would be interested in getting more information.  She also attended the Juneteenth parade and celebration which had a very good turnout from the Department as well as an event with the mayor and lots of political luminaries which gave her an opportunity to mingle with many of the decision makers in the city and to share with them some of the department’s needs.

 

Commissioner Cleaveland mentioned that he also missed the graduation ceremonies from the academy because his father died, and he had to go to Kansas City and deal with that.  President Nakajo stated that Commissioner Cleaveland had the condolences of his fellow commissioners and the members of the Department in terms of the loss of his father.

 

Commissioner Veronese stated that since the last meeting, he also missed the graduation as he was honored to be asked by the governor to represent the state at a climate summit in Italy.  He stated that he did go to a couple of 9-1-1 calls that the Department responded to including the one on 8th Street as well as the drowning of the young 14-year-old boy at Crissy Field.  He also met with Supervisor Stefani, along with Mr. Corso to rally support for the Department’s budget items.

 

Chief Nicholson asked that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Captain William Murray and Captain Jerry Keohane who both passed away the past week.

 

There was no public comment.

 

7. AGENDA FOR NEXT AND FUTURE FIRE COMMISSION MEETINGS [Discussion]

Discussion regarding agenda for the next and future regular meetings.

 

• Chief Tong to present on EMS Division w/ Dr. Yeh and Captain Pang

• Charter Amendment/Discipline matters

• Add Narcan administration in future reports

 

There was no public comment.

 

8. ADJOURNMENT President Nakajo adjourned the meeting in the memory of retired Captains’ William Murray and Jerry Keohane at 6:51 p.m.